Perspiration shield and method of making same

ABSTRACT

An odor reducing article of apparel and the method of making same which includes perspiration shields that are strategically located contiguous to areas of perspiration which not only effectively absorb perspiration, but also significantly reduce perspiration odor. More particularly, the perspiration shields of the invention are constructed from interwoven wicking and silver coated yarn that functions to substantially eliminate odor causing bacteria contained within the perspiration of the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending Application, U.S. Ser. No. 10/974,244 filed Oct. 25, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to clothing. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel perspiration absorbing, odor eliminating shield and the method of making same for use in connection with garments, such as undershirts, socks and the like.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

A number of different types of perspiration shields have been suggested in the past to protect garments from becoming soiled due to excessive perspiration. Most common of these prior art perspiration shields are dress shields that are particularly designed for women. Typically, the prior art dress shields are designed to absorb underarm perspiration so as to prevent the perspiration from soaking through to the outer garment and becoming visible underneath the sleeve area of the garment.

In the past, little attention has been given to the design of perspiration shields for use by men. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,720, issued to J. Mayera discloses lightweight tightly fitted garment for women that include potential for perspiration shields in the underarm area. However, as is apparent from the patent drawings, the Mayera design is to be used only by women and is created to be an alternative to the heavier weight, larger design of men's T-shirts. More particularly, the Mayera T-shirt is basically characterized by a fabric torso enclosure and a pair of fabric sleeves, each having inner and outer end openings. The torso enclosure has a top, a neck opening in the top, a bottom including a waist opening, and a pair of arm openings at upper side locations. Seams connect the inner end openings of the sleeves to the torso enclosure at the arm openings. The seams are positioned to extend over the clavicle/acromion regions of a wearer of the shirt. Each sleeve has a top length measured from the seam to the sleeve outer end opening at the top of the sleeve, and a bottom length, measured from the seam to the sleeve outer end opening at the bottom of the sleeve. The bottom length of the sleeve is longer than the top length of the sleeve. The sleeves provide perspiration absorbing fabric contiguous both armpits of the wearer.

In addition to giving little concern to perspiration shields suitable for use by men, the prior art has suggested no type of perspiration shield that both absorbs perspiration and at the same time tends to eliminate unpleasant perspiration odors.

In addition to being specifically designed for use by women, the prior art perspiration shields are often difficult to correctly position in the perspiration area, do not adequately conform to the garment being worn by the user and have a tendency to bunch up and become dislodged during use.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and, for the first time, to provide a novel perspiration shield that is suitable for use by both men and women. The perspiration shields of the present invention can be conveniently affixed to a garment in an area of perspiration and, as will presently be discussed, uniquely embody a blend of wicking yarn and silver coated, odor eliminating yarn. In this regard, it has long been known that silver has a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties. Accordingly, silver has been widely used in healthcare products, including bandages, burn care treatments, catheters and any number of products where infection control is critical.

Advantageously, techniques have been developed for irreversibly binding silver to polymer fibers and yarns that can be used to construct fabrics that can be used for a variety of purposes. When the silver coated fabrics are used in the production of articles of apparel, such as those of the present invention, the antimicrobial properties of the silver function to eliminate odor causing bacteria, thereby substantially reducing perspiration odor. Ammonia and denatured proteins are also contributors to odor in certain types of apparel. Advantageously both ammonia and denatured proteins readily bond to silver resulting in substantial odor reduction in these types of apparel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an odor reducing article of apparel and the method of making same which includes perspiration shields that are strategically located contiguous to areas of perspiration which not only effectively absorb perspiration but also significantly reduce perspiration odor.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide an article of apparel of the aforementioned character in which the perspiration shields function to substantially eliminate odor causing bacteria contained within the perspiration of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of apparel as defined in the preceding paragraphs, in which the perspiration shield is of a character that becomes more effective in a hot, wet environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article of apparel of the character described which includes perspiration shields that contain no chemicals or pesticides.

Another object of the invention is to provide a perspiration shield that can readily be affixed to an article of apparel at a location of heavy perspiration and which uniquely absorbs perspiration and at the same time substantially reduces perspiration odor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a perspiration shield of the character described in the preceding paragraph that includes a thin barrier membrane that is disposed between the perspiration absorbing component of the shield and the article of apparel to which the shield is affixed, thereby protecting the article of apparel from perspiration of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a perspiration shield of the class described that is of a simple construction and one that can be inexpensively manufactured in large volume.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective, diagrammatic view illustrating one form of the odor reducing article of apparel of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of one form of the perspiration shield of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the components that make up the perspiration shield in exploded form.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged view of the area designated as 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of an alternate form of perspiration shield of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 showing in exploded form the elements that make up the alternate form of perspiration shield of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, one form of the odor reducing article of apparel of the present invention is there shown, and generally designated by the numeral 14. This article of apparel is here shown as a man's T-shirt having underarm covering portions 16 to which the uniquely formed perspiration shields 18 of the invention are affixed.

As best seen by also referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the perspiration shields 18 of the article of apparel comprise a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component 20 and a cooperating garment shield 22. As indicated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the perspiration shields 18 are strategically configured to substantially cover the underarm portions of the T-shirt.

In the present form of the invention, the perspiration absorbing, odor reducing components 20 each comprises a fabric swatch constructed from a polyester wicking yarn 24 that is interwoven or knitted in a conventional manner with a silver coated polymer yarn 26 (FIG. 4). As best seen in FIG. 3, the garment shield components 22 here comprise a thin, yieldably deformable, polyurethane membrane 28 having first and second surfaces 28 a and 28 b.

In a manner presently to be described, the garment shield components 22 are securely interconnected with perspiration absorbing, odor reducing components 20 to form a precursor subassembly. As indicated in FIG. 3, the garment shield components 22, further comprise a multiplicity of heat activated adhesive particles. More particularly, as depicted in FIG. 3, the first surface 28 a of the membrane 28 is covered with a multiplicity of heat activated adhesive particles 30, while second surface 28 b of the membrane is coated with a multiplicity of heat activated adhesive particles 32. As will be described in connection with the discussion of the methods of the present invention which follows, particles 30 function to bond membrane 28 to component 20, while particles 32 function to bond the precursor subassemblies, or perspiration shields 18, to the under arm covering portions of the T-shirt in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

When the perspiration shields are interconnected with the article of clothing 14 in the manner shown in FIG. 1, the perspiration absorbing, odor reducing components 20 are positioned in engagement with the underarms of the garment wearer and the membranes 28 are positioned in engagement with the underarm portions of the garment. With this construction, the antimicrobial properties of the pure silver which coats the polymer yarn 26 function to eliminate odor causing bacteria, thereby substantially reducing perspiration odor. At the same time, the thin, polyurethane membranes 28 function to protect the article of clothing from perspiration thereby substantially eliminating perspiration stain on the underarm portions of the article of clothing. It is to be understood that the perspiration shields of the invention can be affixed to selected body covering areas of various types of clothing covering areas of heavy perspiration such as sweat socks and the like to absorb perspiration and reduce perspiration odors.

Considering next the methods of the present invention, in one form of the invention, the method of making the perspiration shields 18 comprises the steps of first constructing the perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component 20 by interweaving in a conventional manner the polyester wicking yarn 24 with the silver coated yarn 26 in the general configuration depicted in FIG. 4. This done, the garment shield component 22 is constructed by distributing the heat activated adhesive 30 on the first surface 28a of membrane 28 to form an adhesive coated membrane. Next, the adhesive coated membrane thus formed is placed over the perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component 20 to form a precursor subassembly. With the adhesive coated membrane thus positioned over the component 20, the assembly thus formed is simultaneously heated and compressed in a manner to activate the adhesive 30 and effectively bond together the adhesive coated membrane and the perspiration absorbing, odor eliminating component 20. This heating and compression step can be accomplished in various ways as, for example, in a heated platen press, or in a roller laminating system both of which are of a character well understood by those skilled in the art. A suitable platen press for accomplishing this latter step is available from Danalco, Inc. of Duarte, Calif.

In accordance with the method of the invention for constructing an odor reducing article of apparel from a selected garment, the perspiration shields 18 formed in accordance with the method described in the preceding paragraph, are affixed to the selected garment in the body area of heavy perspiration by any suitable manner, such as sewing or adhesive bonding.

When the perspiration shields are to be affixed to the garment by adhesive bonding, the heat activated adhesive 32 is randomly deposited on surface 28 b of the membrane 28 by any suitable means and the assemblage thus formed is heated in a manner to effectively fuse the heat activated adhesive 32 to the surface 28 b. This heating step can be accomplished in various ways, including passing an infrared heater above the surface of the membrane at a suitable, elevated temperature sufficient to melt the adhesive without damaging the membrane film.

Bonding of the adhesive coated perspiration shield to the garment is accomplished by first placing the adhesive coated perspiration shield over the perspiration area, such as the underarm covering portion of the T-shirt shown in FIG. 1 so that said second surface of said membrane is in engagement with the underarm covering portion of the garment. This done, the adhesive coated perspiration shield and the underarm covering portion of the garment are simultaneously heated and compressed to effectively bond the adhesive coated perspiration shield to the garment. As before, this heating and compression step can be accomplished in various ways, either in a heated platen press, or in a roller laminating system of a character well understood by those skilled in the art. A suitable platen press for accomplishing this latter step is also available from Danalco Inc. of Duarte, Calif.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 7 of the drawings, an alternate form of the odor reducing perspiration shield of the present invention is there shown, and generally designated by the numeral 34. Perspiration shield 34 is similar in some respects to the perspiration shields of the first embodiment of the invention and like numerals are used in FIGS. 5 through 7 to identify like components. As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the perspiration shields 34 can be conveniently affixed to an article of apparel, such as a man's T-shirt having underarm covering portions 16 (FIG. 1). As indicated in FIG. 5, the perspiration shields 34 of this latest form of the invention are strategically configured to substantially cover the underarm portions of the T-shirt.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 7, the perspiration shields 34 each comprise an odor reducing fabric swatch 35 having first and second layers 36 and 38 respectively. First layer 36 is constructed from a polyester wicking yarn 24 that is interwoven or knitted in a conventional manner with a silver coated polymer yarn 26 to form a fabric somewhat similar to that shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. However, in this latest form of the invention, the silver coated polymer yarn 26 is plaited into the fabric in a manner so that it principally lies proximate the outer face of the fabric swatch 35 as indicated in FIG. 6.

Each odor reducing fabric swatch of the present invention also includes a second layer 38 that is constructed from a suitable wicking yarn, such as the wicking yarn 24, to form a fabric layer of the character shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings. As indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, first layer 36 has a first surface 36 a and a second layer 38 having a second surface 38 a.

In a manner similar to that described in connection with the description of the first embodiment of the invention, the odor reducing fabric components 34 of this alternate form of the invention can be securely interconnected with an article of apparel such as that shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. For this purpose, the second surface 38a of second layer 38 is covered with a multiplicity of heat activated adhesive particles 30 (FIG. 6). As will presently be described in connection with the discussion of the method of this alternate form of the invention, particles 30 function to affix each odor reducing swatch 34 to the under arm covering portions 16 of the T-shirt in the same manner as components 18 are affixed to the T-shirt (see FIG. 1).

As in the earlier described embodiment of the invention, when the odor reducing perspiration shields 34 of this latest form of the invention are interconnected with the article of clothing 14 in the manner shown in FIG. 1, first surfaces 36 a of the first layers 36 are positioned in engagement with the underarms of the garment wearer and the second surfaces 38 a are positioned in engagement with the underarm portions of the garment. With this construction, the antimicrobial properties of the pure silver which coats the polymer yarn 26 plaited into the first layers 36 of the swatches, function to eliminate odor causing bacteria, thereby substantially reducing perspiration odor. It is to be understood that in this latest form of the invention, the odor reducing perspiration shields of the invention can be affixed to selected body covering areas of various types of clothing other than T-shirts, as, for example, sweat socks, sweat shirts, sweat pants, and the like to absorb perspiration and reduce perspiration odors.

Considering next the methods of this alternate form of the invention, in one form of the invention, the method of making the perspiration shields 34 comprises the steps of first interweaving or knitting, in a conventional manner, the polyester wicking yarn 24 with the silver coated yarn 26 to form the first fabric layer 36 in which the silver coating yarn resides proximate surface 36 a. At the same time a suitable wicking yarn, such as wicking yarn 24, is interwoven, in a conventional manner, to form the second fabric layer 38 which is appropriately interwoven with first fabric layer 36 to form the fabric swatch 35. The next step in the alternate method of the invention involves the distribution of the heat activated adhesive particles 30 onto the second surface 38a of the swatch to form an adhesive covered component. This done, the adhesive covered component thus formed is heated to an elevated temperature sufficient to melt the heat activated adhesive 30 and cause it to bond to the second surface 38 a of fabric layer 38 and to thereby form the perspiration shield 34 of the invention. This heating step can be accomplished in various ways as, for example, by exposing second surface 38 a to a conventional infrared heater.

In accordance with this alternate form of the method of the invention for constructing an odor reducing article of apparel from a selected garment, the perspiration shields 34 formed in accordance with the method described in the preceding paragraphs, are affixed to the selected garment in the body area of heavy perspiration by any suitable manner, such as sewing or adhesive bonding.

When the perspiration shields 34 are to be affixed to the garment by adhesive bonding, the shields are placed over the perspiration area, such as the underarm covering portion of the T-shirt shown in FIG. 1, so that adhesive coated surface 38a of the second layer 38 of the fabric swatch is in engagement with the underarm covering portion of the garment. This done, the perspiration shield and the underarm covering portion of the garment are simultaneously heated and compressed to effectively bond the adhesive coated perspiration shield to the garment. As before, this heating and compression step can be accomplished in various ways, either in a heated platen press, or in a roller laminating system of a character well understood by those skilled in the art. A suitable platen press for accomplishing this latter step is also available from Danalco, Inc. of Duarte, Calif.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A method of making a perspiration shield for interconnection with a garment comprising the steps of: (a) constructing a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component by interweaving a moisture wicking yarn with a silver coated yarn to form a first layer having a first surface and interweaving a moisture wicking yarn to form a second layer connected to said first layer, said second layer having a second surface; (b) constructing an adhesive covered component by distributing a heat activated adhesive on said second surface of said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component; and (c) heating said adhesive covered component to a temperature sufficient to fuse said heat activated adhesive to said second surface of said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component.
 2. The method as defined in claim 1 in which said first layer of said perspiration absorbing odor reducing component is constructed so that said silver coated yarn resides proximate said first surface.
 3. A method of making an odor reducing article of apparel from a garment having a body covering portion which covers an area of heavy perspiration comprising the steps of: (a) constructing a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component by interweaving a moisture wicking yarn with a silver coated yarn to form a first layer having a first surface and interweaving a moisture wicking yarn to form a second layer connected to said first layer, said second layer having a second surface; (b) constructing an adhesive covered component by distributing a heat activated adhesive on said second surface of said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component; and (c) interconnecting said adhesive covered component with the body covering portion of the garment covering an area of heavy perspiration.
 4. The method as defined in claim 3 in which said adhesive covered component is interconnected with the body covering portion of the garment by simultaneously heating and compressing said adhesive covered component and said underarm covering portion of the garment to bond together said adhesive covered component and said garment.
 5. A method of making an odor reducing article of apparel from a garment having an underarm covering portion comprising the steps of: (a) constructing a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component by interweaving a moisture wicking yarn with a silver coated yarn to form a first layer having a first surface and interweaving a moisture wicking yarn to form a second layer connected to said first layer, said second layer having a second surface; (b) constructing an adhesive covered component by distributing a heat activated adhesive on said second surface of said perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component; and (c) interconnecting said adhesive covered component with the body covering portion of the garment covering an area of heavy perspiration by simultaneously heating and compressing said adhesive covered component and said underarm covering portion of the garment to bond together said adhesive covered component and said garment.
 6. The method as defined in claim 5 in which said first layer of said perspiration absorbing odor reducing component is constructed so that said silver coated yarn resides proximate said first surface.
 7. An odor reducing article of apparel having an underarm covering portion, including a perspiration shield affixed to said underarm covering portion, said perspiration shield comprising a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component comprising a first layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn interwoven with a silver coated yarn and a second layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn.
 8. The odor reducing article of apparel as defined in claim 7 in which said second layer has a surface and in which said surface has a heat activated adhesive bonded thereto.
 9. An odor reducing article of apparel having an underarm covering portion, including a perspiration shield affixed to said underarm covering portion, said perspiration shield comprising a perspiration absorbing, odor reducing component comprising a first layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn interwoven with a silver coated yarn and a second layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn, said second layer having a surface, said surface having a heat activated adhesive bonded thereto.
 10. A garment shield comprising an odor reducing fabric component having first layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn interwoven with a silver coated yarn and a second layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn.
 11. The garment shield as defined in claim 10 in which said second layer has a surface and in which said surface has a heat activated adhesive bonded thereto.
 12. A garment shield comprising an odor reducing fabric component having first layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn interwoven with a silver coated yarn and a second layer formed from a moisture wicking yarn, said second layer having a surface, said surface having a heat activated adhesive bonded thereto.
 13. The garment shield as defined in claim 11 in which said first layer has a surface and in which said silver coated yarn resides proximate said surface of said first layer.
 14. The garment shield as defined in claim 13 in which said second layer is interwoven with said first layer. 